Panasonic's Toughbook 19 / 30 get even tougher, better
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 27th 2009 9:43AM
posted Jan 27th 2009 9:43AM
Panasonic Upgrades Its Rugged Toughbook(R) 19 and 30 Mobile Laptops Delivering Improved Performance and Viewability in All Environments
Battery Life Also Improved -- Now Offering Up to 10 Hours of In-Field Use
SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 27, 2009--
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook(R) mobile computers, today introduced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook 30 clamshell rugged laptop and its Toughbook 19 rugged convertible tablet computer. Both Toughbook notebooks incorporate 1,000 nit LCDs, circular polarization technology and anti-glare (AG) plus anti-reflective (AR) screen treatments to enhance screen viewability, further improving in-field usability for mobile workers. Additional upgrades to the Toughbook 30 and Toughbook 19 include improved security and remote management thanks to Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 with vPro(TM) technology, expanded memory capabilities, 40% longer battery lives, larger capacity hard drives, and optional SSDs.
Working outdoors in the bright daylight or in a vehicle with sunlight streaming through the windows is a fact of life for field workers, military personnel and first responders. Having a computer screen that is bright and crisp enough to be easily viewed, while not depleting essential battery power is crucial for a mobile workforce. The updated Toughbook 30 and Toughbook 19 offer improved full sunlight-viewability by incorporating circular polarization and other technologies, including 9 to 1,000 nit LCD brightness as well as AG and AR screen treatments. Not only has screen viewability been improved, but Panasonic's engineers have also enhanced the battery life of both devices, now delivering up to ten hours of field-usability on a full charge with the standard battery.
"For many of our users, the ability to work effectively in all conditions, from pitch darkness to direct sunlight, is critical," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "Panasonic has always created rugged mobile devices that offer exceptional viewability in all environments. The more useable our Toughbook notebooks are, the more productive our customers can be. The Toughbook 30 and Toughbook 19 are great examples of the exceptional engineering found in all Toughbook mobile computers. This level of engineering has made the Toughbook brand so popular with users in mission-critical environments."
Panasonic has achieved engineering milestones with the extraordinarily bright screens it has developed for its rugged notebook computers. Toughbook 30 and 19 notebooks have LCD brightness measuring at 1,000 nits -- a milestone first achieved on the Toughbook 30 in 2007. Both devices also offer exceptional low nit ratings -- critical for operation in low light environments where less illumination improves user safety. A nit is a measurement of light in candelas per square meter, essentially how much light is coming from the display.
New Toughbook 30 and 19 mobile computers also include a "concealed mode" which allows users to easily turn all device lights off -- screen and LEDs -- using a function (Fn) key, without having to power down the machine. The feature allows users to customize which attributes get turned off when the Fn key is pressed including screen, LEDs, backlit keyboards, volume, and wireless radios (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth(R), and mobile broadband). Furthermore, users can select if they wish the screen to be turned off, or just set to the minimum brightness level. The "concealed mode" feature is ideal for military and law enforcement applications and for jurisdictions requiring vehicle-mounted PCs to have their screens turned off while the vehicle is in operation.
Every Toughbook(R) notebook uses some form of AG screen treatment because, even inside, fluorescent lights may impair screen readability. Rugged units -- like the Toughbook 30 and 19 -- designed for use in vehicles or outdoors, incorporate more advanced AR screen treatments. All Toughbook notebooks also include individual control options for a wide range of screen brightness so users can make appropriate adjustments, depending on the ambient light in their work environment.
Rugged Engineering
These Mil-Spec-certified notebooks incorporate the rugged features--such as magnesium alloy cases, sealed keyboards and ports, hard drive heaters flexible internal connectors and shock-mounting--that combine to deliver the highest levels of reliability in the industry. Besides improved screen viewability, both the Toughbook 19 convertible tablet and the Toughbook 30 notebook include Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/draft-n, Bluetooth(R), as well as capabilities for Gobi(TM) global mobile internet (WWAN), backlit keyboards, GPS and many other options.
Panasonic Factory and Independent Quality Testing
Rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebooks are tested using the MIL-STD-810F methodology for a range of extreme conditions including drops (36", unit and hard drive), shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, water-, rain- and dust-resistance, temperature extremes and thermal shock. Each of the eleven Mil-Spec tests conducted on the Toughbook 30 and 19 are validated by independent lab testing. In addition, rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebook screens, cases, ports, and keyboards are IP54-rated for particulates and water. The products have also achieved UL1604 Class 1 / Div. 2 certification for use in hazardous environments.
At Panasonic's own computer factory, in addition to Mil-Spec tests, Toughbook(R) notebook hinges endure 50,000 cycles and keyboards are subjected to 25 million keystrokes. Panasonic's commitment to quality--at both the component and finished goods level--results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production, on every unit built.
Panasonic Financing Options
Panasonic recently introduced flexible financing options to enable customers to purchase and implement the reliable mobile technology they need to drive long-term value for their organizations. Financing choices include fair market value leases, deferral programs, lease back financing and step payments. The new finance options are being made available as part of the company's longstanding relationship with Panasonic Finance Solutions, provided by CoActiv Partners. More information on the full range of financial solutions offered by Panasonic can be found at: http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/proserv-mobile-computer-fina cing.asp.
Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services
Every Panasonic Toughbook(R) mobile PC is sold with a standard three-year limited warranty (expandable to five years) and access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the unit. Panasonic boasts an average call center hold time of less than 75 seconds. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center, where the average turnaround time for repairs is less than two and a half days. Panasonic also offers a full range of professional pre- and post-deployment services, including on-site support.
Pricing and Availability
The Toughbook 30 is available at an estimated street price starting at $3,649. The Toughbook 19 is available at an estimated street price starting at $3,749. These and other Toughbook notebooks are available exclusively through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.
Panasonic Toughbook 30 Clamshell Laptop: Select Features and Specifications*
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo SL9300 1.6GHz
-- Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 with vPro(TM) technology
-- 6MB L2 Cache
-- 1066 MHz FSB
-- 2-4GB DDR2 RAM (667 MHz)
-- Intel(R) GS45 (GMA 4500MHD) video adapter
-- 13.3" display
-- Circular polarization, anti-glare and anti-reflective screen
treatments
-- 9 to 1000 nit LCD brightness (touchscreen model)
-- Concealed Mode
-- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5100
-- 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
-- Optional Gobi 3G Global Mobile Internet (HSPA, EV-DO Rev. A)
-- 160GB SATA (shock-mounted & quick-release) hard drive
-- Optional 32GB SSD
-- Up to 10 hour battery life (14 hours including optional 2nd battery)
For additional Toughbook 30 product specifications, go to: http://www.panasonic.com//toughbook/30
Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Tablet PC: Select Features and Specifications*
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo SU9300 1.2GHz
-- Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 with vPro(TM) technology
-- 3MB L2 Cache
-- 800 MHz FSB
-- 2-4GB DDR2 RAM (667 MHz)
-- 10.4" LED backlit display
-- Circular polarization
-- 4 to 1000 nit LCD brightness
-- Concealed Mode
-- Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 5100
-- 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
-- Optional Gobi 3G Global Mobile Internet (HSPA, EV-DO Rev. A)
-- 160GB SATA (shock-mounted & quick-release) hard drive
-- Optional 32GB SSD
-- Touchscreen display or optional dual touch display (Digitizer +
Touchscreen)
-- Up to 10 hour battery life
For additional Toughbook 19 product specifications, go to: http://www.panasonic.com//toughbook/19
*All specifications listed represent improvements over past models.
For more information about Panasonic Toughbook(R) mobile computing solutions, please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook.
At first glance it looks dreadful, but then you start to notice the macho-ness of it.
I like it. But I don't use my computer to block bullets.
lame. i do everyday.
heck, i am right now
The article makes no mention of bullets. IS it even bulletproof? Because it's not like a portable laptop (one that doesn't defeat its purpose) would break if you drop it, at least as as long as it doesn't weigh 10 lbs, so what's the point? Does the army use it?
I have been an apple person all of my life....I have had over 20 apple computers and about a year ago I bought a CF-30...it is the most badass thing I have ever bought, and further more it is one of the best work tools I own....I have saved more time, money, and headache, with this computer than any thing else. My life has been greatly improved.....
I still have apples and use them for media, but for ultimate rugged mobility, toughbook is the way to go...plus they are just cool looking...
Too bad, while other companies are busy cutting employees, Engadget cut [read] link instead.
The read link is now on a hunger strike until engadget gives it's job back.
It looks like engadget wrote the article. I'm guessing Panny sent them the info, so no read link needed.
I have one of these new CF-30s (for testing) and besides the slight improvement in sunlight visibility, the device functions much the same as the previous generation and still uses a relatively slow processor for the cost of the device. So yea, unless you are using it to stop bullets, I would go with something else.
Go away, i i.
But this laptop... talk about private browsing huh?
"What are you looking at?"
..."Oh, nothing... just... admiring my computer while it's off..."
Hope it turns the fans off, or they're quieter or something.
how does it have an LED display, but LCD brightness?
uh... LCD and LED are no contradiction....
It has LED backlight, the lighting behind the LCD are LED instead of CCFL you see, that give a better picture.
next time I take the defiant on recon to the gamma quadrant, I'm bringing this bad boy with me. the Jem'Hadar can't detect it if you run conceal mode.
But hey, ya know you could whack eye eye about the head with it alot and it would still work!
Don't call your Mom into the room eye eye, I was just kidding! :-)
Haha what a moron, get back to Disney.com to play with your little friends (until their parents get you arrested for molesting them, of course)
Hahaha, what a moron! Get back to Disney.com to play with your little friends: at least until their parents get you arrested for molesting them.
Get a life will you please?
Written by a Mac user.
Ha Ha what a moron,
get back to thinking straight and make ONE reply....
Sniffing CRACK does this to a person. take a look at Ballmer.
Ive used one of the tablets and I have to say its pretty sweet looking and feeling a system. Im in love with anything that can run super mario in sub freezing temperatures.
My bosses and masters decided to adopt these leaden monsters to give to us slaves when on assignment , so my team carried a couple of them on our last business trip. they both had problems: drivers for satphone internet would'nt work, batteries lastng less than an hour, flickering screen (on the newest of the pair) etc.
In the end all team relied on my Vaio TT and on the cameraman's MSI wind, which both never had any problem whatsoever and that together weighted less than half of one of those monsters.
You make a point there, with those prices and the weight you can go for redundancy and just carry a secondary laptop, except when you are out in the wild or in very cold or hot areas or I guess in very dusty areas studying sahara fine sand or something, but then they should have added a solar charger, because recharging in the wild or on the northpole or in the desert isn't that obtainable I imagine.
LMAO eye eye. Your posts of fail are so amusing. I bet Steve Jobs sits at home and laughs his ass off at ignorant fanbois like yourself.
I guess if I was drawn in by trendy advertisements, bad music and bad comedians I'd be just as pissy as you are. Go buy a PC and grow up.
I use a TB that was given to me from work for the last 3 years. I bought an Otterbox for it and I use it outdoors in any condition. Rain? no sweat, water just flows through the keyboard and out the bottom of my Otterbox. It was even knocked of the side of our Zodiac CZ into the water. It was off at the time, but fully immersed in about 3 feet of water. After an hour or so of letting the water drain, and blasting it with compressed air, I powered it up and no issue. I keep it in the Otterbox all the time now though.
I actually laughed at "got trojan?"
Because yes, eye eye, I put one in your mother every night. (Oohhhhh)
Couldn't resist.
1,000 nits of brightness?
*M1330 screen runs to cry in a corner*
@ nerdtalker
trojan mustve failed you because eye bypassed your birth control mechanism
I worked with one of these for several months, and they're ugly as hell, but they get the job done and they're indestructible. They're like the A-10 of laptops.
lol that really looks like it can be used as a weapon
Very impressive, Robert Hawkins will no doubt be upgrading to this :)
You don't get viruses on pc if you know what you're doing, grow up... learn something, and please don't go to disney.com.